10 quintessential Northern California beers

A list of the best beers brewed in Northern California would stretch into the hundreds and stoke a thousand arguments. But there's no denying these are some of the best-known and most iconic beers made in Craft Beer Country.

Anchor Steam, Anchor Brewing, San Francisco: To say this beer has been around for a while would be an understatement: The first batch was brewed in 1896.

Racer 5 India Pale Ale, Bear Republic Brewing, Healdsburg: In a region that loves its IPAs, this one is quickly becoming a standard-bearer.

Marzen, Gordon Biersch, San Jose: In a land where hop-heavy brews are king, this well-known beer downplays the hop level.

IPA, Lagunitas Brewing, Petaluma: The biggest seller from the funny guys with the dog logo has gone nationwide.

Steelhead Extra Pale Ale, Mad River Brewing, Blue Lake: This list needed one entry from a good-old, blue-collar brewery that's not a beer behemoth or poised to become one. The Blue Lake brewers, three decades later, are still doing things the way they ought to be done in Northern California.

Red Tail Ale, Mendocino Brewing, Ukiah: More than 30 years ago, the first Red Tail Ale was bottled. Today, it's still a Northern California favorite.